With the rash of Swine Flu (no cop jokes please) there has been a huge demand for the brand new vaccine. As everyone is aware, there has been difficulty producing the vaccine and only people who fit into "high risk" categories have been able to get the vaccine. Children, pregnant women, and elderly people have been able to get the vaccine in some cases, but only after waiting in long lines, and even then distributors have run out of the medication. Despite this, one high risk group has been able to obtain the vaccine with little trouble...
Inmates
http://www.sphere.com/2009/10/28/fury-erupts-over-h1n1-shots-for-prisoners/
The article discusses how some mothers have been denied shots for their children, while High Risk inmates have been given the shot free of charge (at least free to them. The shots are paid for by the tax payers of their prospective states).
In some regards, I can understand why they get it. Prisoners are kept in close confines, and diseases often spread rapidly among the population. Prisons are one of the few places in the country where Tuberculosis is still prevalent in the country. Preventing prisoners from getting the swine flu will help prevent the spread of the disease and will ultimately save tax payers money.
On the other hand, should a convicted felon receive a vaccine free of charge before my 80 year old grandmother? No fricken way. Some politician dropped the ball on this one.
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Healthcare workers are also getting them, i work in the operating room and i got it friday without a problem. But i agree with you i think the policeman and guards who work in the jail should get the vaccine to prevent themselves but the inmates shouldn't get them until everyone else who needs it and is at high risk gets it. Inless they are making the inmates get it to see the long term results of a population who gets the shot..j/k
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ReplyDeleteI think that this is a difficult situation. First, the people employed by the prison would need the shots. Second, the H1N1 virus can live on any exterior surface for up to 48 hours, so all of the family members of those workers would need to get the shot. Third, how would you regulate visitors...tell them to enter at their own risk, or would they be given a shot too? Also, (and I dont know anything about prisoner's rights) but it might be easier to give them all shots than provide any extra money or healthcare when they all get sick. However, I personally dont think that the prisoners themselves should be the priority.
ReplyDeleteWow. Tough topic to debate. I'm not sure where I really stand on this one. I kind of agree with Kate on this one. Everyone working there and family members would seem to potentially need to get the shots. And then on top of that would visitors need to be vaccinated too or would it be an "enter at your own risk" situation? And again going with what Kate said, would it cost the tax payers more money to provide the inmates with vaccinations or would it cost less to let them get sick and provide them with healthcare?
ReplyDeleteI just don't know. Great topic. Tough one to debate.